Self-cleaning nozzle



Nov; 7, 1939.` y

w. B. HoDGl-z 'lSELF-GLEANING NOZZLE Filed June 26, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet5 VVrLLmM HooGE Nov. 7, 1939. l Wj a HODGE 2,179,184

' SELF-CLEANING NOZZLE Filed June 26, 1936 4 sheets-sheet 4 ETTHvENTorL:

WILL/nm Hcmcie` Patented Nov. 7, v1939 SELF-CLEANING NOZZMt William E.Hodge, Charlotte, N. ii., assigner to Parks-Cramer Company, Fitchliurp,4 Mass., a

corporation oi liiassachusetter` Applicaties nasce, ieee, senat on.,eine `es im. ici., esem-soi This invention relates to an apparatus foratomizing liquids and more especially to anozzle having orifices throughwhich the uids are discharged into a suitable room to produce the properhumidity,

It is a well known fact, especially in textile mills, that humiditiesmust be maintained within.

a relatively narrow range in order to produce satisfactory workingconditions. ln order to maintain this uniform humidity conventionalhurnidifying apparatus is commonly employed and it is with an apparatusof this type that the' nozzle described in the following specication isadapted `to'operate.

The water used in such hdiiying systemsinvariably holds in suspensioncertain quantities of dirt, silt and other foreign matter, which tend todeposit and accumulate in the water lines, and especially around theorifices of humidiflers. In a similar way the compressed air used insuch humidifying devices carries along certain quantities of water vaporand oil used in the lubrication of the air compressor.

When the humidier is in active operation, there is a pronouncedreduction in the pressure of the compressed air immediately before it isdischarged through the humidifier outlet. This reduction in pressure soreduces the temperature of the compressed air as to cause condensationof water vapor and oil vapor which. are commonly present in the air.This condensation causes the precipitation of carbon, dust, or otherimpurities present in the air which tend to adhere to the peripheryofthe outlet orifice, and it is common experience in the use of suchdevices that these accumulations after comparatively short periods oftime so decrease the flow of air as to reduce the capacity of theatomizer and eventually cause it to become inoperative.

Similar accumulations of impurities present in the .water supply alsotend to cause similar difficulties, with corresponding reduction incapacity and eventual clogging; These difficulties are the cause offrequent necessityfor disassembling, cleaning, reassembling andreadjusting the parts of all atomizers that are in common use.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide automaticallyoperated means for maintaining such air and water orifices in clean con-0 dition by dislodging all such accumulations of sedimentor otherundesirable material, tending to collect'in the orices, with suiiicientfrequency to maintain the continued operation of the'atomizer atits fullcapacity.

It is another object of this invention to provide means formaintaining'these air and water orices open and preventing theaccumulation of `sediment or other foreign particles which might he inthe operating uids from becoming lodged in the orifices and therebyobstructing the evapo orative capacity of the device.

lt is' a further object of this invention to provide a uid atomizingdevice comprising two con- 'centric oriiices arranged in a body sectionhaving a separate compartment for the atomizing fluid lo and for theair, the fluid orifices vbeing stationary and the compartments beingseparated by concave-convex exible wall members such as synthetic rubberdisks. In this forma suitable penetrating means for .the uid orifices isconcentri- 15 `cally mounted in the rubber disks which penetrating meansalso penetrate' the lstationary orinccs.

'When the air pressure is applied upon the flexible wall members thecentral portions of 20 these members will be moved away from theorifices which will, in turn, actuate the penetrating 'means to causethe same to be withdrawn from the oriiice. A spring normally forces thepenetrating means into the orifice when no air 25 is present on thedisks.

It is still another object of this invention to provide means forpreventing the wasteful escape of compressed air while the'atomizer isin operato'n. For that reason, in certain preferred forms 30 of theapparatus herein disclosed, I provide flexible diaphragms as a means forperforming the desired functions of certain parts that are movable tothe desired extent, but which are provided with air-tight connections ofvsuch a nature that Y they prevent the intermittent or continuousleakage of air which is apt to occur when pistons or other similardevices-are used 4for such purposes.`

It is still a further object of this invention to provide means forpreventing the entry of air o under pressure to any part of the channelthrough which the liquid to be atomized passes on its way to the pointat which atomization occurs. Leakage of air into the water supplypriorto atomization tends totproduce an intermittent actionv of the atomizerwhich is highlyobjectionable, andmy apparatus is carefully designed toprevent such action. Y

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objectswill appear as the description proceedswhich taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a side elevation lofthe invention installed on a suitable column within the buildins;

Figure 2 is an elevation looking at the righthand side of Figure 1; Y

Figure 3 is a longitudinal, sectional view taken along the line 3--3 inFigure 2;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional' plan view taken along the line 4-4in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the right-hand portion of Figure 4 butshowing the-parts in a position when the air pressure is not applied;

Figure 6`is a view loolng into the right-hand end of the nozzle with thecap 41 of the apparatus and snap diaphragm 48 removed therefrom;

Figure 7 is an elevation of a modied form of the invention showing thesame installed;

Figure 8 is an elevation looking at the righthand portion of Figure '7;

Figure 9 is a longitudinal, sectional view taken through the nozzle,along the line 9-9 in Figure 8;

Figure l is a'longitudinal sectional plan view taken along the lineI-Ill in Figure 7;

Figure l1 is an enlarged sectional view similar to the right-handportion' of Figure 10 showing the apparatus with the air pressureapplied and the parts in operative position;

Figure 12 is a longitudinal sectional plan view similar to Figure 10 butshowing the bellows in. elevation and also showing the snap diaphragm inthe position occupied when no air pressure is exerted within theapparatus;

Figure 13 is a View looking into the right-hand end of the apparatus asshown in Figure 7 with the cap G'I of the apparatus and diaphragm 68removed therefrom; l A Figure 14 is an elevation of still another modied f'orm of the invention showing the same installed;

Figure 15 is an elevation looking at the righthand end of Figure 14;

Figure 16 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line IG--IBin Figure 15;

Figure 1'1 is an enlarged view of the righthand portion of Figure 16 butshowing the position which the parts occupy when the nozzle is inoperation;

Figure 18 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to Figure 16 butshowing certain portions thereof in elevation;

Figure 19 is a side elevation of still another modiiled form of theinvention installed on a suitable support;

Figure -20 is an elevation looking at the lefthand side of Figure 19;

Figure 21 is a sectional view takenv alongline 2I-2I in Figure 20showing the penetrating means for both orifices in normal position whenthe air pressure is not applied;

-A Figure 22 is an enlarged vertical sectional view similar to Figure 21but showing the cleaning and penetrating means in an inoperative 'p0-sition while the atomizing device is in operation; Figure 23 is anelevation of the rubber wall portions and the associated parts on themeans penetrating the fluid nozzle when the air pressure has beenrelieved. i The various constructions illustrated in the drawingsdisclose an atomizer head having a conduit for a liquid and a chamberfor an atomvizing uid under pressure, said conduit and chamber beingprovided respectively with outlet elements or members one of which isresiliently actuated'and arranged to permit the inner element or memberto penetrate and clean the outlet of the other element or member, Theatomizer is also provided with cleaning means for the inner elementadapted to penetrate and clean the outlet thereof. Each construction issuch that the respective members and elements are positioned foratomization during the continuance of the supply of atomizing iluid andthat cleaning of the outlet of the outer element by penetration of theinner element and cleaning of the inner element by its cleaning meanswill result by relative movement of the parts between each interruptionand resumption of the supply of atomizing fluid.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the numeral I0 indicates asuitable column such as may occur in ordinary textile mills and to whichis secured a container II for holding suitable liqulds used in sprayingor humidifying the mill. This container has a iioat I2 pivoted thereinas at I3,which rises and falls and controls the liquid levelwithin thecontainer by regulating the amount of liquid allowed to flow into thiscontainer through inlet pipe I4. Column I0 has a suitable bracket Isecured thereto in which is mounted an air inlet pipe I6 which leadsfrom a suitable source of compressed air.

The iiow of compressed air is regulated by the conventional apparatuswhich causes air pressure to be periodically admitted into this pipewhen it is desired that the humidity in the mills be increased. Pipe I6is secured to iitting I 'I by any suitable means such as collar I8 saidiitting I'I being embedded into portion 20 of the apparatus.

Portion 20 has threadably secured therein a liquid dispensing nozzle 25`which in turn has a cavity 26 therein and an oriiice 2l. The cavity 26communicates with perforations 24 which perforations also communicatewith peripheral groove 28 cut in the exterior portion of nozzle 25.

The liquid is drawn into groove 28 and through perforations 24 fromcontainer II by the iiow of compressed air from the air nozzle.

A fitting 29 is secured in portion 20 and has threadably secured theretoa collar 30 which co1- lar securely fastens the pipe 3l in position, thepipe 3| having the lower end thereof disposed within the container II.

Liquid dispensing member 25 is threadably secured in member 20 and hasthe left-hand threaded end thereof extending substantially beyond theleft-hand edge of member 20. Threadably secured on the left-hand end ofmember 25 is a collar 32 which collar has one end of an expansiblebellows 33 secured thereto and the other end of bellows 33 has a collar34 secured thereto which forms an intermediate support and to which isfastened one end of bellows which is similar in'all respects to bellows33.

A bellows or flexible wall member 3,5 has its left-hand end secured to acollar 36. This collar is threadably mounted onpin 31, said pin havingsecured thereon a piston 38 and a washer 39 which are located betweenthe member 36 and the head portion 31a of said pin. The piston 38 isadapted to have sliding movement within a cylinder or cup member 4I)which is threadably se cured to portion 20.

It should be noted that the left-hand end of cylinder 40 is closed withthe exception of asmall v ent hole 4I in the end thereof and mounted inthis cylinder and disposed between the closed end of the cylinder andthe washer 39 is a compression spring 42 for normally pressing themember 31 and its associated parts to the right in Figure 4 when the airpressure is not applied to the Y there is no air pressure in theapparatus. It is evident thatwhen this is done that any foreignparticles which might have accumulated within the orifice 21 will beinstantly removed.

' The right-hand end of member 2li has a capv 11`threadably securedthereon and disposed between said cap and said member 29 is a snapdiaphram 48 which has a hole 49 in the central portion thereof adaptedto encircle the restricted nose portion 25a of member 25, and also tocoincide with a hole 52 in cap d1.

Figure 4 shows the snap diaphragm 49 when the air pressure is built upwithin the' chamber 59 by the air which is introduced through pipe iiiand into this chamber through tangentially disposed air inlet 5|. Whenthe pressure has been built up within the chamber 59, the diaphragm itwill bulge in snap fashion outwardly to the right as shown in Figure 4at which time an appreciable opening will occur around the noseA portion25a to allow `the air in this chamber to be emitted through thisopening.

. It should be noted that the air inlet 5| projects tangentiallydownwardly and inwardly to- 'ward the center, see Figure 6, which willcause the air to have a swirling Y effect as it passes through the airorifice 49 disposed around the restricted'portion 25a. Air is alsoallowed to enter the cylinder lill through opening. 54 simultaneouslywith the air entering the chamber 59. When this is done the pressurewithin the cylinder 49 against the piston 38 will cause the spring 42 tobe compressed which, in turn, will move the pin 31 to the left in Figure4 and cause the point 44 to be withdrawn from the liquid orice 21, Thenthe liquid will be drawn through the orifice 21 by the Vacuum producedby the swirling blasts of air which are emitted through the hole 49 inthe central portion of snap diaphragm 4B.

When the swirling blasts of air are emitted around this orifice a vacuumwill be created which will cause the liquid to be drawn upwardly fromcontainer through pipe 3| and into the bore 2B and then outwardlythrough the orifice 21 where it is atomized.

I There is a pronounced tendency for gum and other foreign particles toaccumulate around the restricted portion 25a. thus cutting down the sizeof the air orifice, therefore, the snap diaphragm 48 has beenl providedwhich, when not in operation, occupies the position shown in Figure 5.When the air pressure is relieved in chamber 59 this snap diaphragm 48will snap back to the position shown` in Figure 5 and at the same timethe exterior portion of the nose portion 25a will be simultaneouslycleansed while the orifice 21 is penetrated by the restricted portionV44.

Figures 7 to13 inclusive show a modied form of the invention which hasthe bracket Ell with air'inle't pipe 6| secured therein. To the upperend of pipe 6| is secured a fitting 64 by any suitable means sueh ascollar 65, said fitting 94 being secured to the portionli of theapparatus. The right-.hand end of portion 56 has a cap member 81threadably secured thereon and between,A this cap and portionGB isconfined a snap diaphragm 68 having a hole 12 therein.

diaphragm 6B. In other words, the hole 12 in the central portion of thesnap diaphragm 68 is #concentric with the hole 59 in the central portionof cap 91. This member 66 has a chamber 10 therein into which airpressure is admitted from pipe 6| through air inlet 1| This inletprogresses downwardly and inwardly, see Figures l0, 11, 12, and 13, tocause swirling blasts of air within the chamber 1.0 in a similar mannerto the inlet 5i shown and described with relation to Figure 6.

, Mounted in the central portion of member 66 is a liquid dispensingmember which has a peripheral groove 16 cut in the exterior portionthereof whicngroove communicates with perforations 11 .to allow theliquid to be drawn inwardly p to the central portion of nozzle member 15into lows 91, said bellows 91 having its other end,

secured to another collar 99. The collar 88 is threadably secured to thethreaded portion of pin 89, which pin has a washer 9d thereon which isdisposed between Vthe collar 99 and said head portion. 4 s

The eXtremeleft-hand end of pin 89 has a snap diaphragm 9| securedthereon by means of suit` able nuts 93 and'94 disposed on each side oftheV diaphragm and which are also threadably secured on the end of saidpin. 'Ihis diaphragm is held in position against the member B6 by meansof a suitable cap 91 which is threadably secured on the left-hand end ofmember 66. This cap has a borer98 in the central portion thereof, saidbore having a vent hole 99 therein for allowing the air to enter andescape therefrom when the diaphragm 9| is actuated from the positionshown in Figure 12 to the position shown in Figure l0.,

A compression spring |99 is mounted inrsaid bore 98 and has theright-hand end thereof normally engaging the nut 94 to maintain thediaphragm in the position shown in Figure 12 when no air pressureispresent in chamber |02. When the air pressure is set up in pipe 6| itows into a chamber |92 through an inlet |03 and exerts pressure againstthe diaphragm 9| to cause it to snap outwardly to the position shown inFigure l 10. when thisfis done the pin 89 will be moved to the left tocause the point on the extreme right- I hand end thereof -to bewithdrawn from the orice 19 to allow the liquid to be drawn therefrom.

Simultaneously with the snapping of the diaphragm 9| the pressure willbe set up in the Y chamber 1|) to likewise cause the diaphragm 68 to besnapped outwardly from the position shown in Figure 12 to the positionshown in Figure 1l.

This will allow an appreciable Opening'around the nose or tip of member15 andthe opening in the central portion of diaphragm 68 through whichthe air will be forced. Y

The swift, swirling movement caused bythe expulsion ofthe air around thenozzle of member 15 will create a vacuum at this point -thereby drawingthe liquid from the container I I upwardto the position'shown in Figure12 at which time the point 89a will penetrate the orifice 19 and at thesame time the opening in the central portion of the diaphragm 68 willmove backwardly around the nose portion of member 15 to remove anyparticles or foreign matter therefrom.

Figures 14 to 18 inclusive show another modied form of the invention inwhich the bracket |05 has secured therein an air inlet pipe |06, saidpipe being secured to fitting |01 by any suitable means such as a collar|08. The fitting |01 is secured in member"`|09 and furnishes means forintroducing the air into the interior of the apparatus as at ||0.

p A liquid inlet pipe ||2 is secured to the lefthand end of member |09by means of a collar II3. The projection ||4, which is integral withmember |09, has a threaded bore ||1 on the interior thereof in which isthreadably mounted a pin H5, said pin ||5 having a bore ||6 thereinwhich communicates with pipe ||2 to allow the liquid to enter into bore||1.

Bore ||1 has slidably mounted therein a tubular member ||9 which is alsoslidably mounted in a nut |20. The nut |20 is threadably secured in theright-hand portion of member |09 and has secured to the right-hand endthereof a bellows v |2 l; said bellows I2| having its other end securedto a head portion |22 of tubular member ||9.

The tubular member has a restricted nose portion |24 on the right-handend thereof having an orifice |23 therein through which the liquid isadapted to be expelled (Fig. 17). When the liquid enters into the boreI1 from the pipe l2 it passes between the pin ||5 and the interior oftubular member ||9 and then to the oriflce |23.

The restricted nose portion |24 has threadably secured thereon a nut |21which nut has secured to one side thereof a bellows |28 having flexiblewalls. This bellows has its other end secured to a washer |29 and thiswasher is held in contact with the right-hand portion of member |09 bysuitable means such as a flange |26 on the inside of a cup or.cylindrical member |30 which is threadably secured to member |09.

In order to allow for the expansion and contraction of the bellows |28within the member |30 a vent hole |3| is provided. The air entersthrough the pipe |06 and into the interior of the apparatus through theinlet ||0. It-then passes into the interior of bellows |28 and on theexterior of bellows |2| and thence through an opening |33 into aperipheral groove |34 cut in the nose portion 24.

It will be seen by referring to Figure 18 that the peripheral groove |34has communicating therewith a plurality of spirally disposed grooves |35which are cut in this nose portion |24. From the groove |34 the airpasses through the grooves |35 and is expelled through orice |36 in thecentral portion of the right-hand end of member |30. A

When there is no air pressure within the apparatus the parts assume theposition shown in Figures 16 and 18. It will be noted in this positionthat the extreme right-hand end of nose |24 is a substantial distanceaway from the orifice A |36. When the air enters the inlet ||0 thebellows |2| and |28 lare expanded, thereby forcing the orifice |23,which is in the right-hand end of nose |24,` to the position shown inFig. 17, in which position the nose |24 penetrates and cleans the orice|36. l

There is an appreciable clearance between the nose portion of theorifice |23 and the orince |36 around which the air is expelled inswirling blasts, which blasts are caused toswirl by virtue of thespiralled grooves |35 cut in the nose portion. The pressure set upwithin the bellows |28 is suflicient to overcome the compression of aspring |40`which is mounted between the righthand side of nut |21 andthe interior end portion of cylinder 30. Therefore, the right-handrestricted portion of nut |21 will be forced inwardly into a cavity orbore |42 and the restricted portion ||5a ofpin ||5 will vremain instationary position while the nose portion |24 will move to the right tocause the orifice |23 to be moved beyond the end portion ||5 A of thepin I5 so that the liquid will be drawn therefrom by virtue of thevacuum produced by the swirling blasts of air which are emitted from theorifice 23 around the nose portion of the orifice. vIt is evident thatwhen the pressure is relieved within the bellows |28 that thecompression spring |40 will move the parts back to the position -shownin Figures 16 and 18 which will cause the point |5a to penetrate theorifice |23 to remove any foreign particles which might have accumulatedtherein.

Figures 19 to 23 inclusivev show still another modified form of theinvention in which a pair of resilient concavo-convex resilient diskssuch as rubber are used instead of a bellows in order to operate themeans for penetrating the fluid nozzle. This form has the particularadvantage of being Very simple in construction and eliminates thenecessity for providing a vent hole as shown in the previous figures,and also insures against leakage of compressed air.

The operability of this structure is dependent upon a pair of suitableconcavo-convex rubber wall members or whose peripheries are clamped inspaced relation to each other in such a manner that when air isintroduced between the disks that the central portions thereof will becaused to bulge or snap and operate the cleansing means for thestationary fluid orifice.

It is evident that if suitable oil resisting resilient material can beobtained for forming these portions the air and liquid chambers can beseparated with little probability of a leakage therebetween. Iheconstruction of a bellows that will not leak after continued use, is avery diicult task, especially if the conservation of space is animportant item; therefore where suitable material can be found two smallrubber disks are inserted in lieu of the bellows.

In this form a suitable bracket is secured to post |0 which bracketsupports an air inlet pipe |5|. This pipe is connected at its upper endto a pipe |53 by any suitable means such as a tting |52. 'I'he pipe |53supports a body |54 which body has a pair of holes |55 and |56communicating with the pipe for conducting air to the compartments |51and |58 respectively.

The body |54 has a suitable liquid nozzle |60 threadably securedtherein, said nozzle having a bore |6| in the central portion thereofthrough which the liquid ,is adapted to flow and be atomized as atorifice v|63 by the air which is expelled around the nozzle through theair orifice |64. The air orifice |64 is disposed in the central portionof snap diaphragm |65. Said snapdiaphragm being held in position on theright-hand end of body |54 by any suitable means such as a cap |66 whichis threadably secured on the body, said cap having a hole |61 in thecentral portion thereof.

The construction of the right-hand end of the position shown in Figure2. The diaphragm |12 device is very similar to the-form shown in Figures1 to 6 inclusive, and a. further description is not deemed necessary atthis time.

A suitable pin or plunger is threadably secured in the right-hand end ofmember |1|, said member |1| having mounted thereon resilientconcavo-convex diaphragms 12 and |13. These diaphragms are circular inconstruction and are mounted in a suitabie bore m in the left-hand endof the body |54 as shown in Figures 21 and 22. They are preferably ofrubber and are so molded as to` have a tendency to move to the has oneedge thereof pressed against a suitable shoulder |14a in the bore |14 inthe left-hand end of body |54 and resting upon the opposed side of thediaphragm is a suitable spacer ring |15. This ring |15 is insertedbetween the proximate surfaces of the rubber diaphragms |12 and |13.Since the ring has an enlarged opening in its central portion, asuitable space foran air compartment |51 is provided. Adjacent thelefthand edge of diaphragm |13 is a washer |11 against which the cap |18is adapted to rest when the cap is threadably secured in the left-handend of body |54 for closing bore |14. It is to be observed that disk |12has less surface exposed to compressed air than disk |13. This causescompressed air between the rubber disks or diaphragms to move theassembly carrying the pin itl to the left in Figure 22 against the forceexerted by spring |86. i

, lit is thus seen that the peripheries of the concavo-convex diaphragms|12 and |13 are held in stationary position.

It will be further noted by referring to Figures 2l and 22 that themember |1| is concentrically mounted Within the diaphragms |12 and |13.The mmber is held therein by any suitable means such as by having asuitable washer |80 disposed between the diaphragms and around member|1|. Another washer 8| is placed around the member |1| and is pressedagainst the left-hand central portion of diaphragm |13. Against thiswasher a nut |82 is threadably secured on the member |1| to normallypressthe parts in an assembled position against the en- |1|a which isintegral with moun d a suitable compression spring |86, said comp essionspringy encircling the left-hand end of member |1| and having itsright-hand end normally pressing against nut |82 to normally press-theparts to the position shown in Figure 21. Communicating with this boreis a supply pipe |89 which has its lower end extending downwardly intocontainer Il'.

The liquid is allowed to center the bore |85 through the opening |88from whence it passes into the bore |80 disposed in the central portionof member |1|. is drawn through openings |82 into chamber |14 and theninto bore |6I to the orice |63 where it is atomized by the air which isbeing expelled from chamber |58 through vthe concentric air orifice |64.The air whiclris expelled through the orice |64 around'the end oforifice |63 creates a vacuum and draws the liquid throughn .totheposition shown in Figure 22 which in turn .of said nozzle.

From the bore I 90 the liquid will withdraw the point of member |10 fromthe orifice |63. At this time, spring |86 will be compressed and thewater will be drawn through the orifice |63. Simultaneously with thisoperation the snap diaphragm will move to the position shown in Figure22 under the air pressure in chamber |58. When the air is released theparts will assume the position shown in Figure 21.

under the pressure of the spring .|86.

It is thus seen, by this arrangement that it is impossible for theliquid to enter into the air compartment |51 at any time since alljoints in the compartment are tightly sealed.

As has been stated, the material o'f which members |12 and |13 are madeis preferably of synthetic rubber which willl resist theeffect of oil,since oil is very often present in an atomizing Huid. It is possible toobtain the snapaction necessary for the operation of the plunger |10without damaging the rubber or the diaphragm, even if the centralportion of the diaphragms |12 and |13 are bulged about avery- 1. Aself-cleaning atomizer comprising a casing having a liquid conduitprovided with a 'nozzlel and a chamber fortan atomizing iiuid underpressure surrounding said nozzle and havingva movable terminal wallprovided with an outlet coaxial with said nozzle and normally positionedto cause its outlet to be penetrated by said nozzle but moved intoproper atomizing position relatively to said nozzle outlet by thepressure of the atomizing fluid.

2. A self-cleaning atomizer comprising a casing having a liquid conduitprovided with a nozzle and achamber foran atomizing fluid under pressuresurrounding said nozzle and having a movable terminal wall provided withan outlet coaxial Awith said nozzle and normally positioned to cause itsoutlet to be penetrated by said nozzle, but moved vinto proper atomizingposition.

relatively to said nozzle by the pressure of the atomizing fluid, acleaning member positioned in said nozzle, resilient meansnormallycausing said cleaning member to penetrate and clean the outletof said nozzle, and means operated by the pressure of said atomizing uidto effect separation of said' cleaning member from'the outlet 3. Aself-cleaning atomizer comprising a liquid conduit having a nozzle, aconduit for air under pressure including a'chamber surrounding saidnozzle provided -with a movable terminal wall member having an outletcoaxial with and nor-I mally penetrated and closed by said nozzle in the`absence of air pressure, said terminal wall member being moved by airpressure 'when supplied toV said air conduit to such a position relativeto said nozzle as to eifect atomizing discharge of the liquid, andcleaning means arranged to pene' trate and clean said nozzle outlet uponrelease of said air pressure.

4. A self-cleaning atomizer comprising a liquid conduit having a nozzle,a conduit for air under pressure including a chamber surrounding said4nozzle provided with a movable terminalwall 35 member having an outletcoaxial with and normally penetrated and closed by said nozzle in theabsence of air pressure, and nozzle cleaning means independent of themovement of said terminal wall, located axially within said nozzle,normally penetrating and closing the outlet thereof in the absence ofair pressure, the pressure of4 said-air when admitted to said chamberbeing eiective to cause such separation between said movable terminalwall member and said nozzle and between said nozzle and said independentcleaning means as to produce eiective atomization of the liquid by saidair under pressure.

5. A self-cleaning atomizer comprising a. conduit for liquid and aconduit for air under pressure having coaxially disposed outlets, tneoutlet for said air under pressure being provided in a movable wallmember actuated by said-air under pressure to eiect the relativepositioning of said outlets in atomizing relation, the outlet for saidliquid being provided in a nozzle which in the absence of said airpressure penetrates and cleans the outlet for air, and additionalcleaning means for said outlet for liquid which, in the absence of saidir pressure, penetrates and cleans the outlet for liquid and which, whensaid air pressure is acting, is in non-penetrating relation to saidoutlet for liquid.

6. Atomizing apparatus comprising a casing having an air chamber and abellows chamber, a liquid nozzle mounted in said air chamber and havinga discharge outlet, a snap diaphragm closing said air chamber uponreduction of air pressure in said air chamber and having an orificetherein serving as an air nozzle upon increase of air pressure and,occupying a position where the liquid nozzle projects into said orifice,a liquid conducting pipe communicating with the interior of said liquidnozzle, a compressed air conducting pipe having communication with saidair champlunger-whereby, an' increase of air pressure in said chamberswill. serve to snap the :first-named diaphragm to move it from contactwith the' liquid nozzle and also .to move the plunger from the dischargeoutlet of said liquid nozzle.

7. A liquid atomizer comprising a tubular liquid nozzle connected to asupply of liqud, an air chamber coaxially surrounding said liquid nozzleand connected to a supply of air under pressure, a snap-action diaphragmcomposed of resilient material disposed coaxially with, and constitutingthe outer wall of said air chamber, said diaphragm having a centralaperture and being sub- V plunger\normally penetrating the bore of saidliquid nozzle, said plunger being operated by means responsive to saidpredetermined air pressure, to be withdrawn from the bore of said liquidnome in combination operable to maintain continuous atomization onlyduring the prevalence of said predetermined air pressure.

8. Atomizing apparatus comprising a, liquid nozzle having an air chambersurrounding the same and terminating at its outer end in a centrallyapertured exible diaphragm of resilient material and having an initialinward warp, acting normally to engage the periphery of said aperturewith the outer surface of said liquid nozzle, a conduit for air underpressure communicating with said air chamber, a conduit for liquidcommunicating with said nozzle, a plunger' slidably mounted in saidnozzle, an extensible bellows surrounding a portion of said plunger andsecured by air-tight joints at its inner end to said plunger and at-itsouter end to said liquid nozzle, a piston mounted at its inner end onsaid plunger, a cylindrical casing secured at its outer en d to saidliquid nozzle and extending inwardly therefrom to enclose said bellowsand to supply sliding contact with 'said piston, said casing alsohaving` internal communication with said com-..

pressed air conduit, and spring means acting normally to force saidplunger outwardly to penetrate said uid nozzle operating in response toa predetermined air pressure to force said diaphragm outward to presentan outlet for said air from said air chamber and to withdraw saidplunger from said liquid nozzle thereby to maintain continuousatomizationin response to said air pressure and to discontinue saidatomization upon interruption of said air supply.

9. A self-cleaning atomizer comprising a casing having a liquid conduitprovided with a noz?-l zle and a chamber for an atomizing fluid underpressure surrounding said nozzle having an elastically yieldable-wallprovided with an outlet normally penetrated' by said nozzle, but movedinto proper atomizing relation thereto by the pressure of said atomizingiluid, cleaning means normally positioned to penetrate the outlet ofsaid nozzle, and means operated by the pressure of said atomizing -uidto retract said cleaning means from said liquid nozzle to permitdelivery of liquid therefrom. I

10. A self-cleaning atomizer comprising a casing having a liquid conduitprovided with a nozzle and a chamber for an atomizing fluid underpressure surrounding said nozzle having a thin snap diaphragm providedwith an outlet coaxial with said nozzle and normally distorted to causeits outlet to be penetrated by said nozzle, but moved into properatomizing position relatively to said nozzle outlet by the fluidpressure of the atomizing fluid. y

1l. A self-cleaning atomizer comprising a casing having a liquid conduitprovided with a nozzle and a chamber for an atomizing 1l id underpressure surrounding said nozzle and Aaving a snap diaphragm providedwith an outlet coaxial with said nozzle and normally distorted to causeits outlet to be penetrated by said nozzle, but moved into properatomizing position relatively to said nozzle outlet by the uid pressureof the atomizing iluid, a plunger reciprocably mounted in said nozzle,resilient means normally causing said plunger to penetrate and clean theoutlet of said nozzle, and means operated by the pressure of saidatomizing uid to retractsald plunger from the outlet of said nozzle.

12. A self-cleaning atomizer comprising a casing having a deliverychamber for an atomizing iluid under pressure and a pressure chamber,means for supplying'iluid under pressure to said atomizing reiation tosaid nozzle, a plunger reciprocably mounted invsaid conduit having anend portion adapted to penetrate the nozzle outlet, resilient meansacting upon the other end of said plunger' normally causing said plungerto penetrate the nozzle outlet and. operated by the pressure of theatomizing fluid when admitted'to said pressure chamber to retract saidplunger from nozzle-penetrating position.

` 13. A self-cleaning atomizer comprisinga casing having a deliverychamber for an atomizing fluid under pressure and a pressure chamber',means for supplying uid under pressure to said chambers, a liquidconduit mounted in said casing having a nozzle projecting into saiddelivery chamber, means for supplying liquid to said nozzle, a snapdiaphragm insaid delivery chamber having an outlet and normallydistorted to cause its outlet to be penetrated by said nozzle, butAmoved by the pressure of the atomizing fluid into proper atomizingrelation to said nozzle, a plunger reciprocably mounted in said conduithaving an end portion adapted to` penetrate the nozzle outlet, resilientmeans normally causing said plunger to penetrate the nozzle outlet,plunger-actuating means in said pressure chamber operated by thepressure of the atomizing fluid when admitted to said pressure chamberto retract said plunger from nozzle penetrating position, and imperviousiiexible means connected to said plunger-actuating means i'or preventingthe atomizing fluid from entering said liquid conduit.

14. A self-cleaning atomizer comprising a casing having a deliverychamber for an -atomizing fluid under pressure and a pressure chamber,means for supplying fluid under pressure to said chambers, a liquidconduit mounted in said casing having a nozzle projecting into saiddelivery chamber, means for supplying liquid to said nozzle, a snapdiaphragm in said delivery chamber having an outlet and normallydistorted to cause its outlet to be penetrated by said nozzle, but movedby the pressure of the atomizing fluid into proper atomizing relation tosaid nozzle, a plunger repicrocably mounted in said conduit having anend portion adapted to penetrate the nozzle outlet, a spring acting uponthe other end of said plunger normally causing said plunger to peneltrate said nozzle outlet, and a snap diaphragm-.'

of resilient material intermediate of said spring and saidplungeroperated by the pressure of `the atomizing fluid when admitted to saidpressure chamber suddenlyto retract said plunger-'fromnozzle-penetrating position'.

15j-A self-cleaning atomizer comprising a casing having a deliverychamber for an atomizing fluid under pressure and a pressure chamber,means for supplying fluid under pressure to said chambers, a liquidconduit mounted in sadrcasing having a nozzle projecting into saiddelivery chamber, means for supplying liquid to said nozzle, a snapdiaphragm in said delivery chamber having an outlet and normallydistorted to cause its outlet to be penetrated by said nozzle, but movedby the pressure of the atomizing fluid into proper atomizing relation tosaid nozzle, a plunger reciprocably mounted in said conduit having anend portion adapted to penetrate the nozzle outlet, a spring acting uponthe other end of said plunger normally causing said plunger to penetratesaid nozzle outlet, a snap diaphragm of resilient material intermediateof said spring and said plunger operated by the pressure of the plungerfor preventing the atomizing fluid from` entering the liquid conduit.

, atomizing fluid when admitted to said pressure 16. A self-cleaningatomizer comprising a tul bular liquid nozzle connected with a supply ofliquid, an air chamber coaxially surrounding said liquid nozzle andconnected to a supply of air under pressure, a snap diaphragm composedof resilient material disposed coaxially` with and constituting theterminal wall of said air chamber,`said diaphragm having a centralaperture and being subject to an initial warp operable normally to closesaid aperture by registration thereof upon the outer surface of saidliquid noz- -tion only during the continuance of said pre-'i determinedair pressure.

17. A self-cleaning atomizer comprising a tubular memberhaving an outletfor liquid supplied thereto, ana'nnular chamber coaxiallysurroundingsaid ,liquid outlet, and having a movable terminal wallmember provided with an outlet for air and operable in the absence ofair pressure to maintain closure of said air outlet by registrationthereof with the outer surface of said liquid outlet, cleaning meansslidable axially Within said tubular member operable normally to occupyand close the outlet thereof and means operated responsive to thepressure of air when supplied to said chamber to withdraw said cleaningmeans from said liquid outlet and to cause separation of said liquidoutlet and said air outlet in combination operable to maintaincontinuous atomizing operation only during the maintenance of apredetermined air pressure in said f chamber.

to separate said air outle'. from said liquid noz- Y zle only during thepresence of air under pres- .sure in said chamber and movable-meansnormally operable to penetrate the bore of said liquid nozzlefrom within.and operated only upon theV admission of air under pressure to saidchamber to be withdrawnfyfrovn the bore of said centric with said liquidnozzle and normally closed forcibly by engagement therewith, saidclosure member being operated to cause separation of said orifice fromsaid liquid nozzle only in response to the pressure of air when suppliedto said chamber, axially slidable cleaning means operable normally tooccupy the bore of said liquid nozzle by forcible penetration thereof,and means operated only by the pressure of air when supplied to saidchamber to forcibly withdraw said slidablemeans from the bore of saidliquid nozzle irrcnbination operable to cause forcible displacement offoreign matter from said orifice and from the bore of said liquid nozzleupon each interruption of the supply of air to said chamber. A

20. A self-cleaning atomizer, a chamber operatively connected with asupply of compressed air and terminating in a closure member composed ofresilient material subject Ato an initial warp and provided with acentral outletorice, a nozzle for the discharge of liquid operativelyconnected with a supply 'thereof and disposed within and coaxially ofsaid chamber with the outlet of said nozzle operable normally topenetrate and forcibly close said orice against the resilient resistancedue to said warp in said closure member and operated only in response tothe continuous supply of said compressed air to open said outlet orificefor the escape of air-- from saidchamber by displacement of saidresilient member, movable cleaning means operable normally to forciblypenetrate and close the bore of said liquid nozzle and means secured tosaid movable means operated only responsive to the continuous supply ofsaid compressed air to withdraw said movable means from the bore ofsaid-nozzle, in combination operable to maintain continuous atomizationby the aspirating action of said escaping air during the continuoussupply thereof vand to discontinue said atomization and clean said oriceand the bore of said nozzle upon interruption of said supply of air.

21. A self-cleaning atomizer comprising three coaxial members, two ofwhich are relatively and independently movable, one of said coaxialmembers having a circular outlet aperture for ing cleaning meansfor'penetrating said liquid outlet, the said members being relativelypositioned by the pressure of the fluid for atomization of liquid whilesupplied with fluid under pressure, and means actuated by changes'in thepressure of the atomizing fluid incident to interruption of the supplythereof to cause said tubular extension to pass through and clean saidfluid outlet and to cause vsaid penetrating means to pass through andclean said liquid outlet.

22. An atomzer comprising a casing containing mechanism includingVresiliently movable pressure-actuated means so; constructed and arrangedrelatively to said casing as to provide a iirst passageway havingv amain outlet for the discharge of a uild under pressure when supplied tosaid passageway and a second passageway having an outlet for thedischarge of a supply of liquid by way of said main outlet and to effectatomization of said liquid by the action of said fluid, said mechanismincluding a member having said main outlet and movable in response tochanges in fluid pressure and another member effective to clean saidmain outlet by traversing the same upon changes in pressure incidentalto the interruption of the supply of said fluid.

23. An atomizer comprising a casing containing mechanism includingresiliently movable pressure-actuated means so constructed and arrangedrelatively to said casing as to provide a rst passageway having a mainoutlet for the discharge of a uid under pressure when supplied to saidpassageway and a second passageway having an outlet for the discharge ofa supply of liquid by way of said main outlet and to effect atomizationof said liquid by the action of said fluid, said mechanism includingin-4 terruption of the supply thereof.

WILLIAM B. HODGE.I

